Recorded as Corey, Corrie, and Corry, this is a Scottish surname, although one also found in Ireland. It is locational from anyone of the places in Arran, Dumfriess and other areas named "Corried". The name derives from the Gaelic word "coire", meaning "cauldron", and is used here in the transferred sense of a circular hanging valley on a mountain. Topographical surnames were among the earliest created, since both natural and man made features in the landscape provided easily recognizable distinguishing names in the small communities of the Middle Ages. Early examples of the surname recording include Radulph de Corry, who witnessed a charter by Henry de Grahame in the year 1200, whilst Walter de Corry or de Corri, a cousin and heir of Helewisa de Levynton, rendered homage to Edward 1st of England in 1274 for his portion of her lands. Thomas Corry of Keldwood, a follower of the Earl of Cassilis, was acquitted of murder in 1526. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Hugh de Corried, a charter witness. This was dated circa 1194 - 1211, in the "Records of Holm Cultram", during the reign of King William, known as "The Lion of Scotland", 1165 - 1214. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was sometimes known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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